Shots and Notes from Milan Design Week

Every year in April, for one week, Milan becomes the international reference point for the furnishing and design sector. People from all around the world come to the capital city of Northern Italy and spend some usually warm days walking in the streets of Brera, Porta Genova, Porta Nuova and the fashion district, where most of the events of the so-called “Fuori Salone” are organized.

Design and the city

Architects, designers, artists, students, journalists, everyone who works in the sector or has a passion for design gather in the showrooms, cafés, and exhibition spaces dedicated to the event. And even those who don’t care much about design and furniture are tempted to peer through the doors and become part of this world of lamps, kitchens, wallpapers, homeware and home accessories by Italian and international designers.

Bringing fashion and art into the household is an idea that I like, because even people like me, who can’t afford elegant houses in fashionable places, can built their little nest. The secret is to choose well and have style. And I mean a personal style which reflects our personality and influences how we dress, how we live, how we eat and what we buy. And how we decorate our home.

Minimalism…

Needless to say, I am a huge fan of Scandinavian style. Chic minimalism. Interior design that alludes to nature, forests and lakes. Coziness, especially in the coldest months of the year. Natural wood elements. White and grey walls and surfaces. Soft lights. Few books. A small white and blue kitchen, with a shabby chic touch. Big paper lanterns in the dining room. A cactus on my desk. Monochrome artwork.

Luckily, Ikea gives me a reason to hope that someday I’ll have the opportunity to furnish my house without spending a fortune.

…and an exotic twist

This year I’ve noticed that Scandinavian style has a central role, at least in the showrooms I’ve visited. But what I’ve liked the most is the unusual combination of minimalism and exotic, wood and warm colours. I found it in the small, lovely courtyard in front of Etro shop, where colorful pillows have been placed on a wooden sofa and a hammock is hanging between a tree and a large umbrella. I was suddenly reminded of a beach, a terrace with a view, and the smell of the ocean as the sun sets on a summer day.

And I’ve travelled back in time as I went inside the beautiful antique shop in Via Brera, Pettinaroli, which sells refined paper and wooden globes as well as old maps and vintage prints. In their courtyard are two globes that would look great in a living room, and an original lamp that you can see in the picture above.

The design week has also given me the opportunity to discover new cafés, vegetarian restaurants and ice cream shops. But I’ll write about this in another post. For now, let’s keep furnishing and decorating our dream home.